Cy Young award winner R.A. Dickey creates a funny anti-bullying picture book with an adorable baseball character that kids will love
    
Ned the baseball is very nervous on his first day of school. Everyone else seems to know where they belong, but not Ned. He isn't a fastball or a slider, and the Foul Ball gang makes fun of him for the way he wobbles. When they do something particularly dastardly to another student, it's up to Ned to come to the rescue with his unique abilities. Not only does Ned realize he's a knuckleball, but he discovers that he can be a hero, too!
R.A. Dickey is a starting pitcher for the Toronto Blue Jays. In 2012, while playing for the New York Mets, he became the first knuckleball pitcher to with the Cy Young Award. When not on the road with the team, he lives in Tennessee with his wife and four children. R.A. is also the author of the bestselling memoir Wherever I Wind Up and its adaptation for young readers, Throwing Strikes. View titles by R.A. Dickey
TIM BOWERS studied at the Columbus College of Art & Design and started his career in an advertising art studio before being recruited by Hallmark to design greeting cards. Since then, he has illustrated over thirty-five children’s books, including Pirate's Lullaby and the New York Times bestsellers Dream Big, Little Pig!, written by Kristi Yamaguchi, and Dinosaur Pet, written by Neil Sedaka and Marc Sedaka. His book illustrations have received many state and national awards. He and his wife live in Granville, Ohio. Learn more about Tim's work at timbowers.com. View titles by Tim Bowers
“R.A. Dickey is one of the coolest athletes I’ve ever met.” — George Vecsey, The New York Times

"Dickey, with an assist from Karounos, creates a sweet, sympathetic character and presents an earnest, heartfelt message." - Kirkus Reviews

"The clear, lively writing and nice pacing make this a good addition to the canon of antibullying books that make their point without being message driven. Bowers adds to the fun...his cartoon acrylic paint illustrations effectively capture Ned’s wobbliness and make the pages come alive with motion." - School Library Journal

About

Cy Young award winner R.A. Dickey creates a funny anti-bullying picture book with an adorable baseball character that kids will love
    
Ned the baseball is very nervous on his first day of school. Everyone else seems to know where they belong, but not Ned. He isn't a fastball or a slider, and the Foul Ball gang makes fun of him for the way he wobbles. When they do something particularly dastardly to another student, it's up to Ned to come to the rescue with his unique abilities. Not only does Ned realize he's a knuckleball, but he discovers that he can be a hero, too!

Author

R.A. Dickey is a starting pitcher for the Toronto Blue Jays. In 2012, while playing for the New York Mets, he became the first knuckleball pitcher to with the Cy Young Award. When not on the road with the team, he lives in Tennessee with his wife and four children. R.A. is also the author of the bestselling memoir Wherever I Wind Up and its adaptation for young readers, Throwing Strikes. View titles by R.A. Dickey
TIM BOWERS studied at the Columbus College of Art & Design and started his career in an advertising art studio before being recruited by Hallmark to design greeting cards. Since then, he has illustrated over thirty-five children’s books, including Pirate's Lullaby and the New York Times bestsellers Dream Big, Little Pig!, written by Kristi Yamaguchi, and Dinosaur Pet, written by Neil Sedaka and Marc Sedaka. His book illustrations have received many state and national awards. He and his wife live in Granville, Ohio. Learn more about Tim's work at timbowers.com. View titles by Tim Bowers

Praise

“R.A. Dickey is one of the coolest athletes I’ve ever met.” — George Vecsey, The New York Times

"Dickey, with an assist from Karounos, creates a sweet, sympathetic character and presents an earnest, heartfelt message." - Kirkus Reviews

"The clear, lively writing and nice pacing make this a good addition to the canon of antibullying books that make their point without being message driven. Bowers adds to the fun...his cartoon acrylic paint illustrations effectively capture Ned’s wobbliness and make the pages come alive with motion." - School Library Journal

Mental Health Awareness Month Resources

May is Mental Health Awareness Month and addressing student wellness and mental health is critical to help children learn how to manage emotions, develop healthy identities, empathize with peers, and pursue individual goals. We created thematic guides and book lists to help foster important conversations to build an inclusive environment where emotions matter. Explore our social emotional

Read more

Books for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

Each May, we honor the stories, histories, and cultures of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders. Below is a selection of acclaimed fiction and nonfiction books by AANHPI creators to share with your students this month and throughout the year. AANHPI Creators – Elementary School titles  

Read more